Hillsdale and Westwood in talks to share Westwood's gas pumps

Hillsdale officials are looking into an arrangement to fuel borough-owned vehicles at the Westwood Department of Public Works facility's gas pumps.

The idea was borne out of discussions between Westwood DPW Superintendent Rick Woods, Westwood Borough Administrator Robert Hoffmann and Hillsdale Councilman Jason DeGise to identify shared service opportunities between the boroughs, according to DeGise.

DeGise, liaison between the council and Hillsdale's DPW, said the arrangement presents a cost saving opportunity for Hillsdale to bring municipal vehicles, which includes police cars, ambulance rigs, DPW trucks and fire apparatus, to neighboring Westwood to fuel up.

Details of a proposed agreement will require further talks between Hillsdale and Westwood, but he expects the shared service will "move forward within the immediate future." Both councils have passed resolutions authorizing discussion.

In order for an arrangement to move forward, Westwood would need to obtain a permit from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to increase the amount of gas the municipality can pump annually. The borough is currently permitted to pump up to 50,000 gallons.

Currently, Hillsdale is using the Valero on Broadway to fill its cars, which, DeGise said, is the only station in town that had a state contract to dispense fuel. Valero's contract with the state expired at the end of last year, but DeGise said the agreement was extended for 30 days.

The Westwood Council has an agreement in place with the Westwood Regional Board of Education to allow school district vehicles to fuel up at the borough's pump. There is also a shared service arrangement between the two bodies for borough DPW mechanics to maintain the school-owned vehicles, according to Hoffmann.

Hillsdale and Westwood in talks to share Westwood's gas pumps

Hillsdale officials are looking into an arrangement to fuel borough-owned vehicles at the Westwood Department of Public Works facility's gas pumps.

The idea was borne out of discussions between Westwood DPW Superintendent Rick Woods, Westwood Borough Administrator Robert Hoffmann and Hillsdale Councilman Jason DeGise to identify shared service opportunities between the boroughs, according to DeGise.

DeGise, liaison between the council and Hillsdale's DPW, said the arrangement presents a cost saving opportunity for Hillsdale to bring municipal vehicles, which includes police cars, ambulance rigs, DPW trucks and fire apparatus, to neighboring Westwood to fuel up.

Details of a proposed agreement will require further talks between Hillsdale and Westwood, but he expects the shared service will "move forward within the immediate future." Both councils have passed resolutions authorizing discussion.

In order for an arrangement to move forward, Westwood would need to obtain a permit from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to increase the amount of gas the municipality can pump annually. The borough is currently permitted to pump up to 50,000 gallons.

Currently, Hillsdale is using the Valero on Broadway to fill its cars, which, DeGise said, is the only station in town that had a state contract to dispense fuel. Valero's contract with the state expired at the end of last year, but DeGise said the agreement was extended for 30 days.

The Westwood Council has an agreement in place with the Westwood Regional Board of Education to allow school district vehicles to fuel up at the borough's pump. There is also a shared service arrangement between the two bodies for borough DPW mechanics to maintain the school-owned vehicles, according to Hoffmann.